SAN BERNARDINO >> Police Officer Gabriel Garcia is regaining consciousness, nearly two weeks after being shot in the line of duty, Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said at a vigil Thursday night.

“Within the last 24 hours he’s started to regain consciousness,” Burguan said, to applause that he followed with caution. “He’s still in very critical condition.”

In fact, Burguan said, Garcia’s ability to hang on so far is “a miracle,” but he sounded hopeful as he told a crowd gathered to call for an end to violence that Garcia’s family and the Police Department deeply appreciate the community’s support.

Burguan continuously has updated the community on Garcia’s prognosis through messages on the social media platform, Twitter.

Moments before beginning his speech, Burguan got off his cell phone and posted a Twitter message:

“Update on Ofc. Garcia. Good day today. Showing improvement. He is regaining consciousness. Please keep him in your prayers,” Burgan tweeted.

Earlier that morning, he tweeted that treatment continued and positive signs continue, but with occasional complications.

The community has come together with fundraisers and vigils to support Garcia and the Police Department.

A car wash fundraiser is scheduled Saturday at the Juan Pollo Restaurant at Mount Vernon Avenue and Fifth Street in the officer’s name. All proceeds will go to Garcia.

Garcia, a field-training officer, was shot in the head on August 22 in the early morning hours during a gun battle with a heavily armed man. His unidentified partner, a trainee, was not wounded.

Burguan said shortly after 2 a.m., Garcia and his trainee came across six individuals walking near 19th Street and Garner Avenue.

“When Garcia and his trainee got out of their patrol car, one of the individuals began to open fire,” Burguan said in a previous report.

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Garcia’s partner opened fire, killing the man, identified as Alex Alvarado, 38, of San Bernardino. Police said Alvarado is a longtime member of a Redlands street gang.

Three of the five surviving suspects have been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a peace officer and one count each of possessing an assault rifle.

Jonathan Contreras, 20, Gonzalo Medina, 22, and Orlando Cruz, 24, all of San Bernardino pleaded not guilty on August 27 to all charges.

District Attorney Michael A. Ramos has taken a tough stand against violent crime in the county.

“The District Attorney’s Office wants to make very clear, if you aid and abet or are involved in a conspiracy in the assault or shooting of a peace officer, we will hold you accountable, even if you don’t pull the trigger,” Ramos said.

This is the third time in a year a San Bernardino police officer has been fired upon and wounded in the line of duty.

In July 2013, two San Bernardino police officers attempted to stop a vehicle near a liquor store at Base Line and Sierra Way when the occupants of the car jumped out and opened fire on the officers.

“The car pulled into the parking lot and four armed individuals stepped out of the car and started shooting at the patrol officers,” police Lt. Paul Williams said at that time. “Multiple shots were exchanged between officers and the suspects.”

One officer was struck in the leg, treated at Loma Linda University Medical Center and later released.

A week prior to that shooting, a sheriff’s deputy serving an eviction notice in the 1400 block of Date Street, was ambushed as he and his partner stepped out of their car. One of the deputies was shot in an arm and hand. A bullet also grazed the deputy’s face.

The unidentified deputy, a 24-year veteran, was treated and released from a hospital, sheriff’s officials said.

Miguel Alvarez, 33, is accused of driving up to the deputies as they sat in their patrol car and firing multiple shots, striking one of them.